Foreign nationals who risk their lives to assist the United States when we are conducting military actions in their country deserve our protection, both during and after their service. We have an obligation to do everything possible to ensure their safety and that of their families. With respect to Iraq and Afghanistan, we have not yet done enough to protect those who assisted us and some of them have already been murdered by anti-American groups. We cannot allow this to continue. Thousands of Iraqi and Afghani individuals who assisted American forces and civilian contractors are still in harm's way in their respective countries despite requesting asylum in the United States. In many instances, they've had visa requests in process for years without concrete progress or conclusion. In a recent episode of the radio show This American Life (episode #499 entitled "Taking Names"), the plight of these individuals and their families was described. Despite trying to the best of their ability to comply with U.S. visa requirements, many of them have been stuck in limbo for extended periods which has left them vulnerable to reprisals from anti-American elements in their respective countries. The episode relates the particularly heartbreaking case of an Iraqi referred to as "Omar" (not his real name) whose repeated attempts to obtain visas for himself and his family dragged on until June 2012 when he was found beheaded by unknown assailants. According to U.S. military sources and the civilian contractor who employed Omar from 2004 to 2006 in construction work, he was an excellent employee. Yet, he was abandoned and ultimately died a horrible death because he chose to assist Americans during the Iraq War. It is unconscionable for the United States to request locals to assist us and then leave them and their loved ones exposed to reprisals from anti-American groups. It should be part of the deal that we guarantee protection for them and their families both while they are working for us and afterward. Failing to provide such protection is not only morally indefensible but also poor foreign policy. If America becomes known as a country which doesn't protect those we ask to help us, how can we expect locals to assist us in future conflicts?

For nearly five years, a group of some 600 multinational corporations and trade associations have been quietly negotiating a trade pact IN SECRET that could void American laws that protect workers, jobs, health, and the environment. During negotiations in 2012 news leaked of some of the provisions U.S. trade officials were prepared to approve, and a public outcry derailed the talks. Trade Representative Ron Kirk resigned. When Michael Froman was confirmed as the new U.S. Trade Representative in 2013, the push to renew "fast track" authority began again in earnest. Despite more leaks of disturbing provisions in the TPP text in 2013, on January 9, 2014, both the House and Senate introduced "Fast Track" bills. The White House and many of the corporate "trade advisers" are turning up the heat on Congress to vote for the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014." If this bill becomes law, President Obama would be able to sign an agreement first, and then force a quick vote in Congress without any public scrutiny, with no revisions, and with limited floor debate. Rep. Keith Ellison has called TPP "the largest corporate power grab you've never heard of." Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, (who happens to share my name!) is one of just four U.S. Senators who voted against Froman's confirmation this summer. She said of TPP, “I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative’s policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant.” Warren explained, “In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.” The only TPP language made public has been through Wikileaks - with analysis by Public Citizen, and recently, by environmental groups. Trade officials have kept a tight lid on the negotiations and have only recently allowed members of Congress to view (not copy) the text, which remains "classified." Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida, who has viewed the text, has repeatedly spoken out in opposition to this limitation placed on members of Congress. Among the most disturbing revelations in the leaked TPP language, that seems to be mirrored in the Atlantic version as well: Foreign companies would have "preferred status" – granting them greater rights within our borders than our own companies enjoy. U.S. companies would have more incentives to offshore jobs, and foreign companies would not be bound by the minimum wage and could sue the U.S. if our health, safety, or environmental regulations interfered with their profits. Jurisdiction over such suits would rest not in the hands of elected officials or judges, but with an international business tribunal. Their decisions, which would be binding upon all member nations, would supersede our own laws. TPP is a direct threat to American sovereignty. Members of Congress who vote to grant Fast Track authority for the TPP are voting against democracy. That is something we as constituents must tell them we will remember when we go to the polls this fall.

Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Gibson (R-NY), Rick Nolan (D-MN), and Walter Jones (R-NC) have introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R.2494) to block U.S. military intervention in Syria without an affirmative vote of Congress. Identical legislation (S.1201) has been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT). Sending military assistance to Syrian rebels, or intervening directly, will lead to Americanization of Syria's sectarian civil war. Congress and the American people should be part of a vigorous debate before any such military escalation takes place. U.S. military intervention without Congressional authorization would violate the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. Urge the Senate and the House and to support the Udall/Paul and Gibson/Welch bills to block U.S. military intervention in Syria without Congressional approval.

While we are under sequester F-16 jets went to a terrorist country (Egypt) now arms & more aid to syria

I helped to train the Iraqi Army during my second tour, and their concern is that many of the anti-Assad forces are the same terrorists they've fought before and who continue to target them. Plus, as Senator Tom Udall noted, once we introduce weapons, we have zero control over them. The United States "could turn over the weapons we're talking about and next day they end up in the hands of al-Qaida." Moreover, there is no winning scenario when we get involved in other nations' civil wars and proxy wars. On this point, Senator Chris Murphy said it best: "We have failed over and over again in our attempts to pull the strings of Middle Eastern politics." Sign our petition and stand with Senators Murphy and Udall today.

The President is using Al Shabab, reverting to tribalism, breaking the laws of the Constitution, and also causing large- scale disorder by killing people in Jubaland. This causes wide spread panic and fear across Somalia and among the diasporic Somalis, who have been through this before. Also, we would like to ask the American Government, ngo's, and other influential organisations and groups to withhold their support and resources until the President of Somalia stops the re-ignited genocide. That is not my fear. That is what is happening right now.

I want to keep the US out of the Syrian war between two fighting sects of Islam. This is their war, not ours.

The Turkish government is turning one of the few parks in central Istanbul into a shopping mall. It will be constructed inside fake Ottoman military barracks from a century ago. A lot of my friends in Turkey are gravely concerned by the violent suppression of protest over this. The Turkish government might be less hard-line if it was not confident of unwavering support from the Unites States government.

The US has no business joining with al Quada and other jihadist groups to take down the secular govt of Syria. This is a civil war backed by Islamic fundamentalists and fascist Arabic nations. The peacful protesters departed long ago. Tell Obama not to mimic Bush and get us involved in another war in the Middle East, which if "successful," would result in another fundamentalist theocracy, led by groups which are both anti-American and at sectarian war with other Syrian groups.

I helped to train the Iraqi Army during my second tour, and their concern is that many of the anti-Assad forces are the same terrorists they've fought before and who continue to target them. Senator John McCain's relentless pursuit of more war crystalizes the case against our involvement better than anything else has so far. During his recent trip to Syria he took a picture rebels who were members of a known terrorist group. His staff says he didn't know who they were, and no one doubts that. But that's the point: if a U.S. Senator can unwittingly pose for pictures with terrorists in Syria, how can we guarantee the arms he supports sending won't end up in the same place he did -- with terrorists? There are countless reasons to stay out of Syria, not the least of which is our poor tracking record attempting to shape the outcome of Middle Eastern politics. The President has taken important steps to ending two misguided wars started during the Bush Administration. He shouldn't move us towards getting involved in a third conflict the majority of Americans oppose.

Individuals who are not clearly participating in armed combat are entitled by international law to a presumption of civilian status, which signature strikes effectively deny by classifying unknown people as "militants" and therefore "targetable" based on secret intelligence, of unknown accuracy, that their behavior or appearance is judged to be "typical of militants." Signature strikes have led to a high proportion of civilian casualties, which violates international law. U.S. refusal to acknowledge the potential harm to civilians can increase blowback from impacted communities and denies victims the justice they deserve. ‘Signature’ drone strikes pose the greatest risk of killing civilians, are the most dubious legally, and create tremendous blowback against America. Tell Congress to move now to end these signature strikes, save innocent lives, protect America from the blowback of killing innocent civilians, and restore the rule of law. Organizations Signed On: Brave New Foundation Fellowship of Reconciliation Historians Against the War Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace Just Foreign Policy Office of the Americas Peace Action Peace Action West United for Peace and Justice United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC)

Until Israel treats Palestinians as equal citizens the U.S. should refuse financial and military support. The United Nations has documented war crime violations against the Palestinians. Violations only go ignored and repeated. Israel continues to take house and land from the Palestinians without allowing return to there homes. These violations can not continue and we should not continue its support. Hasta que Israel trate a los palestinos como ciudadanos iguales Estados Unidos debe rechazar el apoyo financiero y militar. Las Naciones Unidas ha documentado violaciones de crimen de guerra contra los palestinos. Violaciones sólo ir ignorado y repetida. Israel continúa tomar casas y tierras a los palestinos sin permitir volver a casas allí. Estas violaciones no pueden continuar y no debemos seguir su apoyo.